Quilcene, Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Quilcene, Washington
Census-designated place
Nickname(s):  "Pearl of the Peninsula"
Location of Quilcene, Washington
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Jefferson
Area
• Total	9.2 sq mi (23.8 km2)
• Land	8.8 sq mi (22.8 km2)
• Water	0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2)
Elevation	43 ft (13 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	598
• Density	65.08/sq mi (25.13/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	98376
Area code(s)	360
FIPS code	53-56975
GNIS feature ID	1524768

Quilcene is a small town located in Jefferson County, Washington, in the United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a community that is counted in the census but isn't officially a city or town. In 2020, about 598 people lived there.

Quilcene is found on the Olympic Peninsula, right at the top of Quilcene Bay. This bay is an arm of the Hood Canal, which is a long, narrow body of saltwater. Many visitors come to Quilcene to see the amazing views from nearby Mount Walker. From its 2,804-foot (855 m) summit, you can see Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and even Seattle! Mount Walker is special because it's the only peak facing Puget Sound that has a road to its top.

The lands around Quilcene are part of the Olympic National Forest. Here, you can find tall Douglas fir trees, beautiful Pacific rhododendrons that bloom in spring, and other plants like Oregon grape and salal. North of Quilcene, you'll find Leland Lake.

The famous Quilcene oysters are named after this community. Quilcene is also home to one of the biggest oyster hatcheries in the world!

History of Quilcene: Early Settlers and Growth

The first people to live in the Quilcene area were the Twana people. They lived along the entire length of the Hood Canal. The name "Quilcene" comes from their language, Twana, and refers to a group of people and a village on Quilcene Bay. These "salt-water people" were a special group within the Twana tribe.

In 1841, the Wilkes Expedition mapped the area and called it "Kwil-sid." Later, in 1860, Hampden Cottle, a logger from Maine, and other families settled here. They eventually built the town. The town was first built along the Quilcene River but was later moved to higher ground. The economy in Quilcene mainly relied on farming and logging. By 1880, the town had 53 people.

In 1902, the Tubal Cain Mining Company thought Quilcene would become a big center for processing metals like iron, copper, gold, and manganese from the Olympic Mountains. However, not much ore was ever found. Around 1910, Green's Shingle Mill was a very important part of Quilcene's history.

Geography of Quilcene: Rivers, Mountains, and Fish

USFWS Quilcene National Fish Hatchery

Quilcene is located in the eastern part of Jefferson County. It sits at the northern end of Quilcene Bay, which is connected to Dabob Bay and then to Hood Canal. The Big Quilcene River flows along the southern edge of the town, and the Little Quilcene River is on the northeastern side. Both rivers start in the Olympic Mountains to the west and flow into Quilcene Bay.

The area of Quilcene is about 9.2 square miles (23.8 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

The Olympic National Forest is located to the west and south of Quilcene. Mount Walker, which is about 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of the town, is 2,804 feet (855 m) tall. From its top, you can see other mountains like Mount Jupiter, Buckhorn Mountain, and Mount Constance, as well as Mount Baker and the town of Quilcene itself.

At the southwest edge of Quilcene, where the Big Quilcene River meets Penny Creek, you'll find the Quilcene National Fish Hatchery. This hatchery has been working since 1911. The US Fish and Wildlife Service raises coho salmon here. They release some salmon directly from the hatchery and also provide coho salmon eggs and young fish to programs run by Native American tribes.

Climate in Quilcene: Mild and Wet Weather

Quilcene has a mild, wet climate, similar to what you might find near an ocean. It gets a good amount of rain, especially in the winter months. Summers are generally warm and drier.

People of Quilcene: A Look at the Community

In 2010, there were 596 people living in Quilcene, spread across 312 homes. This was a small increase from the year 2000. About 123 children under the age of 18 lived in Quilcene, making up about 20.6% of the population.

In 2000, most of the people living in Quilcene were White (84.77%). There were also smaller numbers of African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander residents. Some people identified as being from two or more races. About 1.35% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average household in Quilcene had about 2.42 people, and the average family had about 2.95 people.

Culture in Quilcene: Music and Arts

Quilcene was home to the Olympic Music Festival for 32 years, until 2016. This festival was a relaxed classical music event that brought famous musicians to a dairy farm. The Seattle Weekly newspaper even voted it the "Best Classical Music Festival." The festival started in 1984, created by Alan Iglitzin. He originally wanted it to be a summer home for the Philadelphia String Quartet. In 2016, the festival moved to Fort Worden, a nearby location.

Notable People from Quilcene

• Keith Lazelle, an American photographer, is known for his work.

See also

In Spanish: Quilcene (Washington) para niños